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OERC for proactive steps for developing renewable energy

BHUBANESWAR: Disapproving bureaucratic delays in development of hydroelectricity generation, the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has expressed concern that the target fixed by the commission to source 3 per cent power from renewable sources would not be possible.

It directed the State Government to take proactive and transparent steps for the smooth development of renewable energy in the State.

The OERC heard the petition of the developers of small hydroelectricity projects under 25 MW category who were facing difficulties in early implementation of their projects due to bureaucratic delays.

The commission had fixed a target procurement of 3 per cent from renewable energy sources of the total power purchased in 2007-08 and this would go up by 0.5 per cent each year till it reached 5 per cent in the year 2011-12.

The commission felt this was unlikely to happen noting that there was practically negligible production of renewable power in the State.

The GRIDCO and the distribution companies are unable to procure power for lack of any development of renewable energy such as small hydro, wind, biomass cogeneration and solar, OERC sources said.

“The relevant departments and agencies of the Government are either moribund or have made procedures so complex and slow that developers of renewable energy projects are finding it extremely difficult to make any progress in the matter,” the OERC said. General lack of enthusiasm on the part of government agencies and bureaucratic hurdles were great dampener upon renewable energy development, observed the Commission.

After hearing the parties, the Commission directed the Water Resources Department to file a detailed list of DPRs showing how many proposals were pending and for how long and the reasons.

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